MINERS RESCUED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1573, 17 October 1912, Page 5

MINERS RESCUED.

50 BROUGHT TO THE SURFACELITTLE iHOPE HELD OUT FOR REMAINDER. PATHETIC SCENES. By Tcleeraph—Press Aesociation-CboyriKlit (Ike. October 1", 0.30 a.m.) Hobart, October 16. Fifty of the entombed minors in the North Mount Lyell mine, nil alive, have been brought safely to the. surface from the 1000 ft. level. There ivns groat excitement and pnthelic eccues ns each butch arrived. The exploration of the other levels is proceeding, but there are gloomy forebodings ns to the safety of the balance of the men. It is .considered unlikely that any more can be rescued alive, as-the fumes are still bad. The exploration work is risky and slow, The return of tho from the other levels is anxiously awaited. FORTY-ONE KNOWN TO BE DEAD. A HEAP OF BODIES. (Rec. October IG, 10.20 p.m.) Hobart, October IG. Thirty-four survivors have been brought to the surface. The majority are in good condition after their long entombment, but, are in want of food. It is reported that thero are 35 more dead at the 850 feet level, making 41 who' are known to have succumbed. The rescuers report that they counted seventeen corpses in one heap there. HAULED UP IN BUCKETS. HOW RESCUE WAS EFFECTED. (Rec. October 10, 10.20 p.m.) Hobart, October 16. The main shaft at the North Mount Lyell mine being unavailable owing to the jammed cage, communication was established with the entombed through the engine winze, to where the rescuers brought them, and they were then hauled in buckets to the surface. There has been adverse comment that this medium of rescue was not utilised earlier, instead of wasting efforts to release the cage. The bad condition of the air when the winze was holed through is probably the explanation. Brattices had to be erected to improve the air, rendering progress very slow. Tho waiting crowds became impatient, and hostile demonstrations were made until they were assured that everything , possible was being done, The telegraph service is badly overtaxed, and the officials are worn out. j BODIES STANDING ERECT. REASONS FOR DELAY IN RESCUE. (Rec. October 16, 9.40 p.m.) Hobart, October IG. Fourteen of the survivors have been brought to the surface. Six bodies have been discovered at the 850 ft. level standing erect round an air drill, as if endeavouring to utilise it in obtaining air. Tho official reasons given forcthe slowness in getting the cage re-working is ' that the skids were out of repair. It is now understood that the timbering of the shaft was ?o badly buckled, and partially fallen ih as to prevent ingress and egress that way.

MINERS MUCH STIRRED

POOD LOWERED TO SURVIVORS, " Hobart, October IC.

One member of the rescue party at the North Mount Lyell mine, where eightysix men aro entombed, descended to the thousand feet level, and conversed ■ with tho entombed miners, who-said that all was well, and that there wcro fifty men there. Tho resellers arc trying to rescue them through the mullock. The gas fumes are clearing away in tho levels, which are now'nearly clear of deadly gases. . Another body has been found , —that of a man named Rolfe. A notice has been posted at the "office of the Miners' Association at Zechan, stating that tho 850 ft. level is a ghastly sight, with several dead bodies there. There is no official confirmation of this. Many of tho rescuers are exhausted, having worked sixty hours consecutively. It is rumoured Hint the miners at Zeelinn have been profoundly stirred, and will probably lako tho rescue work into their own hands. It was proposed to meet to consider this matter, but tho meeting was postponed on tho advice of tho president of the union. A message from Quoenstowii states that the 850 ft. level was penetrated for a short distance, but that there was no sign of the missing men. It is surmised that they have retreated to tho extremeend and aro safe, except for hunger and thirst. The smoke jackets brought from Hobart failed utterly, carrying only sufficient tiir for half an hour. A parly from Melbourne, including two firemen, have conveyed jackets carrying a two-hours' supply of air. A rescue party, numbering three, went down to attempt to .-each tho thousamlfeet level, whence- subsequently a cord was drawn up with a note attached, which stated that there were fifty men there alive and well, and that there were also three dead,bodies there. The note gave fifty names. Food, clothing, paper, and pencils, and candles were sent down to the men, who returned notes to their wive?, telling them not lo worry. The Miners' Union official?, the general lhanagor of the mine, and three inspectors have conferred. Mr. Mnhoney, president of tho "Gorninnstowti Miners' Union, speaking subsequently to a crowd at No. 2 level, said it had been believed that the men could be rescued within a fortnight by driving from tho Lyell block to North Mount Lyell at the thousand feet level, if picked men wcro put in, but the deputation was satisfied, after inspecting tho plans, that it would be impossible, the nearest distance being ICOft. Tho deputation is satisfied (hat the company is doing its very best. Tho officers of the company are formulating a scheme of release for (he entombed men. A i/ochan message, which hns not been confirmed, gives the number of the known dead as eighteen. Numerous messages of sympathy, including one from the Trades Council at Ohristchiirch, have been received.